This species grows to 4-5'High x 6'Wide with time. From one pad one could expect to wait 10 years for a large speciem to established. We can grow a nice respectable size (3'High x 3'Wide)plant form a single pad a in 4 years. It remains green and stands tall all winter. The pads are thicker that most other Prickly Pears and is covered with clear yellow flowers in may-June. This species is is native to the coastal S.E. US.